Ozarks At Large

Two groups announce intentions to file suit to block a new law that they say would make it more difficult to circulate petitions to get initiatives on the general election ballot. Two area schools get recognized, one for ESL proficiency and the other for overall achievement. And the Joe Martin Stage Race gets underway, with cycling traffic set to peeve some motorists on certain area roads this weekend.
Here is the key to our clips heard in this morning’s montage of famous cemeteries, graveyards and funerals in pop culture:
- Thriller by Michael Jackson. The most famous dance routine set in a graveyard.
- Opening moments from the original Night of the Living Dead.
- The original “graveyard smash”, "The Monster Mash" by Bobby Pickett.
- A wonderful Lee Marvin stumbles into a funeral in the underrated comedy, Cat Ballou.
- Gene Wilder and Marty Feldman have a rough night in the cemetery in Young Frankenstein.
- Opening moments from a 1940 film version of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town.
- Abe Vigoda and Al Pacino is a pivotal scene at Don Corleone’s funeral in The Godfather.
- Theme from the HBO series Six Feet Under.
- Reginald Owen as Scrooge in the 1938 film A Christmas Carol as he sees his own grave.
- The Crypt Keeper from an opening episode of the HBO series Tales From the Crypt.


We continue our series previewing this weekend's poetry festival at Nightbird Books. Katie Nichol grew up in St. Cloud, Minnesota and says she started writing poetry when she was about 12 years old:
Artosphere is just around the corner, and as a result, a full slate of activities are on the schedule at Walton Arts Center.
Becca Martin Brown says that Fleetwood Mac, Little Big Town and Jewell are a few of the music acts to keep an eye out for in the coming days.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks, experts say it's no surprise that millennials have lower credit scores when compared to other generations, with Arkansas millennials' scores ranking fourth lowest in the nation. And we speak with a local police officer about how to prevent becoming a victim of theft; it's as simple as locking your doors.
Here's the list of our presidential songs, quotes and miscellany for our montage:
President Dwight Eisenhower's farewell address on television on January 17, 1961
President John F. Kennedy's inaugural address three days later.
James Brown sings "Funky President."
President Franklin Roosevelt's first fireside chat on radio on March 12, 1933.
The band They Might Be Giants performing the catchy (and educational!) song "James K. Polk."
Ronald Reagan speaks on June 12, 1987.
Johnny Cash performs the standard "Mr. Garfield."
Henry Fonda predates Daniel Day Lewis by more than 70 years in Young Abe Lincoln, directed by John Ford.
The song "Peaches" by the band . . . The Presidents of the United States of America
Herbert Hoover addresses voters in 1928. (bonus points if you knew that one)
Northwest Arkansas is ranked among the 200 best performing cities in the state, and several cities within the area get state and national recognition. And the Arkansas Supreme Court rules that it will not reconsider its ruling regarding school districts and excess property tax revenue.
"The Best Things Happen When You Are Dancing" by Danny Kaye
Michael Tilley from The City Wire talks about the latest in the fate of the 188th at Fort Chaffee, the mysterious super project mentioned by the governor and more.
The first week of the 89th General Assembly has ended, but in the coming weeks will bring a flood of filed bills. One of those expected bills will deal with the problem of wage theft.
Governor Beebe selected a new Highway Commsioner as discussions continue about revenue for roads in the state.